Uniform heat type rectangular brooder



Jane 28, 1958 c. T. ROBINSON ETAL UNIFORM HEAT TYPE RECTANGULAR BROODER Filed Jan. 23. 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 5 R mm w WWP 2 Z0 0 G E M w%% 5w P M ME 00 mm @m n v vw m m Jo. Nw .5 Nm\ g m. W G Twm A on m ATTORNEYS Jan. 28, 1958 c. T. ROBINSON ETAL 9 2 9 UNIFORM HEAT TYPE RECTANGULAR BROODER 3 Shee'ts-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 23, 1956 vm mm 1N VENTOR S CHARLES 7. ROB/W5 DEMPS/E 6. CAMP w l l wm w l l.

00000 oooQooooa BY Z g ATTORNEYS Jan. 28, 1958 Filed Jan. 23 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 lNvENToRs CHARLES ZROBl/VSO/V DEMPS/E C. CAMP ATTORNEYS UNIFORM MAT TYPE RECTANGULAR BRODDER Charles T. Robinson and Dempsie C. Camp, Chattanooga,

Tenn, assignors to Cumberland flase Company, Chattanooga, Tenn, a corporation of Tennessee Application January 23, 1956, Serial No. 560,697

17 Claims. (Cl. 119-32) This invention relates to brooders and more particularly to chick brooders and the like.

In the conventional construction of brocders currently in use, the canopy of the broader is either circular in plan or hexagonal so that a central heating means is substantially equally spaced from the outer perimeter of the canopy. In this way, heat distribution is no great problem since such central heating means can readily serve to heat the area beneath the canopy evenly. However, when such brooders are increased to substantial capacity, even heating becomes more difficult due to the greater distance of the outer perimeter from the heat source and access to the chicks in the central portion of the brooder becoming a problem which necessitates the raising of the entire canopy when access is desired.

While it has been proposed to construct the canopy in an elongated shape to give better chick access, such a construction immediately gives rise to more difiicult heat distribution problems. In short, Where the periphery of the canopy is not substantially equi-distant to the center of the canopy, the distribution of heat from a central heating source to obtain even heat throughout is not automatically obtained. Of course, the problem of heat distribution can be successfully overcome by correspondingly elongating or multiplying the heating source or by forced air circulation, but these solutions involve considerable expense and have not proven to be entirely satisfactory.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved brooder having an elongated canopy suitable to provide ready access to the chicks and also having a central heating means provided with improved means for distributing the heat evenly throughout the area beneath the canopy.

A still further object of the present invention is the provision of an improved heat distributing means, which is operable to distribute heat from a central heating source evenly throughout an elongated surrounding area.

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of an improved heat distributing means for an elongated brooder having a simple vent arrangement capable of retaining the heat within the breeder for a maximum period of time.

A still further object of the invention is the pro vision of a canopy top for a breeder having improved means incorporated therein for enabling an operator to gain ready access to the heating means of the breeder for repair purposes and to permit the operator to easily carry the breeder and which also provides for easy observation of the chicks being brooded and for additional accessibility to these chicks which might need attention.

A still further object of the present invention is the provision of an improved means for supporting a brooder canopy at different positions of vertical adjustment, the supporting means providing a wide area of contact with the ground so that the brooder may be supported on soft ground effectively.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a brooder which is simple in construction, highly ef- 232L Patented Jan. 28, 1958 2 ficient in its operation and economical to produce and maintain.

These and other objects of the present invention will become more apparent during the course of the following detailed description and appended claims.

The invention may best be understood with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein an illustrative embodiment is shown.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a brooder embodying the principles of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view of the brooder;

Figure 3 is a side elevation partly broken away to more clearly illustrate the heat distributing mean of the brooder;

Figure 4 is an end view of the brooder;

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 55 of Figure 3; and

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the adjustable leg assembly for supporting the breeder.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, there is shown a brooder, generally indicated at ill, which embodies the principles of the present invention. As best shown in Figures 1 and 4, the brooder includes a canopy construction, generally indicated at 12, which comprises a pair of generally triangular shaped end walls 14, preferably made of sheet metal or the like, positioned with their bases parallel to the ground and their apexes extending upwardly. Extending between the extremities of the end walls are three longitudinal frame members 1d, 18 and 20. The frame members 16 and 18, which define the sides of the canopy, are preferably of channel construction having one flange of the channel extending from the bight portion thereof at an angle substantially equal to the adjacent angle of the triangular end walls. As best shown in Figure 1, the ends of the side frame members 16 and 13 extend beyond the outer surface of the adjacent end walls for a purpose hereinafter to be more fully described.

The upper inclined edges of the end walls are provided with inwardly bent flanges which together with the frame members are arranged to support a canopy top, generally indicated at 22, preferably made of sheet metal or the like. In order to support the central portion of the canopy top, there is provided a pair of parallel frame members 24 and 26 extending transversely upwardly from respective side frame members 16 and 18 to the upper central frame 2d. As will hereinafter be more fully apparent, the space between the parallel frame members 24 and 26 is sufficient to permit an operator to conveniently stand therebetween. The canopy top may be made up of four relatively large sheet metal sections 28 which extend from one flange of an end wall to the associated frame member 24 or 26 and from the adjacent side frame member to the adjacent upper frame member. The section of the canopy top between the parallel frame members is preferably made up of a substantially rectangular short plate St) on the lower portion of each side and a door 32 hinged, as at 34 above each plate.

The outwardly extending ends of the side frame members 16 and 18 are apertured to receive vertically adjustable supporting leg assemblies, generally indicated at 36. As best shown in Figure 6, each leg assembly includes a vertical leg 38 of tubular construction or the like, having a horizontally disposed fiat plate 49 of substantial dimensions rigidly secured to the lower end thereof by any suitable means. The inclined upper flange of the associated side frame member is apertured, as at 42, to receive the upper end of the leg 38 and a corner bracket 44 has its vertical walls 46 secured to the adjacent portion of the associated end wall and frame member bight portion, respectively, as by screws or the like. The corner bracket 44 also includes a horizontal wall 48 disposed just above the horizontal flange of the side frame member and having a leg-receiving aperture 58 formed therein in alignment with the aperture 42. Extending between the two apertures is an eye bolt 52, the eye portion of which is arranged to receive the tubular leg. The bolt portion extends through a suitable aperture formed in the bight portion of the side frame member and corner bracket wall 46 and has a wing nut 54 or the like threadedly mounted thereon which may be tightened against the bight portion of the frame member. It can be seen that tightening of the wing nut against the bight portion enables the leg to be selectively maintained in any desired position of vertical adjustment. Moreover, the relatively large supporting area of th plates -39 enable the brooder to be supported on soft ground without substantial sinking in.

Extending downwardly from each side frame member is a plurality of spaced plates 56 having a central inverted U-shaped opening 53 formed therein. These plates may be supported from the end frame members by any suitable means, such as hinge elements 60. Similar plates 62 are similarly hinged to the lower edge of each end wall 14. These plates are adapted to provide greater heat retention for the brooder when they are disposed in their downwardly extending position. When a greater escape of heat is desired or when the brooder is supported at a low level above the ground, the plates may be hinged into an upper inoperative position. The side plates are retained in their inoperative position by engagement with the canopy top 22 while the end plates are retained in their inoperative position by means of a dog 64 pivoted to the end walls for movement between an inoperative position and a position engaging the plates.

Disposed within the central portion of the brooder below the canopy is an automatically controlled central heating means, generally indicated at 66. It will be understood that any suitable source of heat may be utilized which is capable of producing large quantities of hot gases, as for example, a gas burner, a kerosene burner or the like. As best shown in Figure 2, a gas burner 68 is provided which is relatively short with respect to the overall length of the brooder and extends longitudinally within the canopy. Gas is supplied to the burner through a pipe 7% extending upwardly through a suitable aperture formed in the canopy top plate 3% The opposite end of the pipe 70 is connected with a temperature control assembly 72 which includes a thermostat of conventional construction. Extending from the control assembly is another pipe 74 having its opposite end connected with a burner and inspirator assembly 76 through which the gas is directed to the burner. At the entrance to the burner there is provided a suitable pilot light and thermocoupling assembly 78 of conventional construction. The specific construction of the temperature control assembly, burner and inspirator assembly and pilot light and thermocouple assembly, forms no part of the present invention except insofar as it is combined with the brooder to form a completely automatic heat control mechanism. It will be understood that any conventional construction of these assemblies may be utilized which will accomplish the purpose of firing and shutting off the gas burner in accordance with temperature conditions existing within the brooder. In addition, a conventional thermometer 80 may be suitably supported in an aperture formed in the canopy top plate 36, if desired.

The present invention is more particularly directed to a novel heat distributingmeans, generally indicated at 82, which is operable to distribute the heat from the centrally located gas burner 68 toward the remote extremities of the brooder or canopy end walls so as to maintain a substantially even temperature throughout A. the area beneath the canopy. The heat distributing means 82 comprises a perforated plate 84 of generally V-shaped construction disposed directly below the gas burner. The perforated plate $4 is mounted in position by means of a pair of parallel, longitudinally spaced, horizontal frame members 36 secured, as by rivets or the like, to corresponding intermediate portions of the parallel frame members 24 and 26 of the canopy. The transverse edges of the perforated plate may be bent horizontally and secured to the unde'rsurface of the frame members 86, by rivets or the like. Disposed above the gas burner is an elongated inverted trough-shaped radiator, generally indicated at 83. This radiator preferably includes a pair of longitudinally extending plates 93 fabricated from sheet metal into a semi-octagonal shape. The inner ends of the plates are supported from the central portion of the upper frame member 20 by means of a strap 92, suitably secured between the latter and the inner ends of the plates. Preferably, the plates 90 extend upwardly from their inner ends toward their respective end walls, where they may be suitably secured, as by rivets or the like. In order to provide access to the burner, one side section of one of the radiator plates may be cut out, as

at 94, and provided with a door 96 suitably hinged to the adjacent portion of the plate. The lower surface of each plate or the downwardly facing surface thereof is preferably blackened by any suitable means, such as paint or the like, for a purpose hereinafter to be more fully explained.

Secured to and extending outwardly from each frame member 86 above each end of the perforated plate 84 is.

a radiator shield plate 98, which may be fabricated from sheet metal into a substantially wide inverted U-shape. These plates extend toward their respective end walls a distance determined by the capacity or size of the brooder. As shown, the outer end of each of the shield plates 98 terminates adjacent the mid-portion of the associated radiator plate 90 and are held in position therein by means of straps 100 suitably riveted or otherwise 0011- nected between the two. The upper surfaces of the shield plates are preferably bright for a purpose hereinafter to be more fully described.

In operation, the heat distributing means 82 of the present invention acts to distribute the heat from the central heating source toward the remote extremities of the canopy so as to maintain a substantially even temperature in the area beneath the canopy in the following manner. The perforated plate 84 is disposed below the heater so as to prevent the adjacent area of the brooder below the heater from receiving a concentration of heat. In addition, since the heater, as disclosed, is a gas burner, the perforated plate also permits the entry of air sumcient to support combustion. Due to the entrance .of combustion air and the reflective protection afforded by the perforated plate, concentration of heat below the burner Where greatest chick concentration is likely is effectively prevented. It can be seen. that with the air for combustion entering beneath the burner and with the natural tendency of heated gas to rise, the majority of the heat from the burner will be directed upwardly from the burner so as to impinge upon the inner ends of the radiator plates 90. It has been found that the inclined position of the plates, as shown, secures many definite advantages. Primarily, with the plates disposed in an inclined position, there is created the efiect of a chimney which results in a much more positive and rapid flow of heat from the central heating means outwardly toward the end walls of the canopy.

The radiator plates 90 are heated by the convection of the hot gases as they pass under it and also by conduction of the heat in the metal of the radiator itself. Sincethe heated gas contacting surfaces of the radiator plates 90 are blackened, they tend to absorb more heat and in turn radiate more in operation. Additionally, the

portion of the plates in the central area of the brooder nearest the heating source will absorb a greater amount of heat due to flow and dissipation and the likelihood of additional heat from the concentration of chicks in this area tends to cause an unevenness in the temperature conditions. To ofi-set this tendency toward unevenness in the brooder temperature, the centrally located shield plates, 98 have bright upper surfaces which function to block a portion of the radiated heat away from the adjacent lower area beneath the canopy where greatest chick concentration is likely to occur. A bright metal surface is used on the shield plates 98 so they will not absorb radiation and in turn radiate it to the central brooding area. In this manner, a substantially even temperature is maintained within the entire area beneath the canopy, even though a central heating source is provided.

As best shown in Figure 4, a pair of spaced vent openings 102 are formed in each end wall beyond the sides of the adjacent radiator plate. These openings are positioned vertically at a level just slightly above the level of the gas burner so that the heat flowing upwardly along the radiator plates will be maintained beneath the canopy for a maximum period of time.

It, thus, can be seen that there is provided by the present invention a brooder which is simple in construction and economical to manufacture. The canopy construction is such that it may be readily fabricated from conventional structural elements and sheet metal. The arrangement is such that ready access to the gas burner controls is provided merely by removing cover 28 or hinging door 32 into its open position. Moreover, the construction is such that an operator can step through the opening provided when the door 32 is in its open position and lift and carry the entire brooder while within the opening. The simplicity of the construction enables the overall weight to be held to a minimum which can be readily lifted.

The advantages of the elongated rectanglar configuration of the brooder are that a greater capacity is possible in an area Where ready access to the chicks may be had. Increasing the capacity of conventional symmetrical brooders by increasing the dimensions thereof results in the creation of inaccessible areas. In other words, the width of the present brooder is such that chicks in the central portion may be readily reached along the entire length of the sides. In conjunction with this advantage is the problem of distributing the heat uniformly throughout the elongated brooder construction. The present invention readily solves this problem by providing a relatively small central heating means and a simple, but effective heat distributing means operable to distribute the heat from the central heating source evenly throughout the entire area beneath the canopy. of particular significance in this regard is that the heat distributing means positively prevents a concentration of heat in the central portion of the brooder adjacent the heater where the greatest number of chicks are likely to congregate. Thus, with the present invention it is possible to have a brooder of greater capacity utilizing a relatively small heating source and still maintain even temperature and ready access throughout the brooder.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited in its application to chicks, as disclosed, and that the brooder shown and described is to be taken as the preferred embodiment of the invention. Various changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In a brooder, an elongated canopy, heating means disposed within the central portion of said canopy, elongated radiator means beneath said canopy extending longitudinally outwardly from said heating means in a position to receive the heat from said heating means and direct the same outwardly toward the extremities of said canopy, and radiator shield means beneath said canopy extending outwardly from said heating means toward the extremities of said canopy in a position to prevent a concentration of heat in the central portion of the canopy, the arrangement of said radiator means and said shield means being such as to distribute the heat from said central heating means evenly throughout the entire area beneath said canopy.

2. In a brooder as defined in claim 1, said heating means comprising a gas burner.

3. In a brooder, an elongated canopy, heating means disposed within the central portion of said canopy, inverted trough-shaped radiator plates extending longitudinally outwardly from said heating means toward opposite extremities of said canopy, and radiator shield plates extending outwardly from said heating means toward the extremities of said canopy, said shield plates being disposed below said radiator plates in a position to insure that the heat from said central heating means will be distributed by said radiator plates evenly throughout the area beneath said canopy.

4. In a brooder as defined in claim 3, said radiator plates having blackened radiator surfaces.

5. In a brooder as defined in claim 3, said radiator plates being inclined upwardly and outwardly to eflfect a rapid distribution of the heat from said central heating means.

6. In a brooder, an elongated canopy, heating means disposed within the central portion of said canopy, inverted trough-shaped radiator plates extending longitudinally outwardly and upwardly from above said heating means toward opposite extremities of said canopy, a perforated plate disposed below said heating means, and radiator shield plates extending outwardly from said perforated plate toward the extremities of said canopy, said shield plates being disposed below said radiator plates in a position to insure that the heat from said central heating means will be distributed evenly throughout the entire area beneath said canopy.

7. In a brooder as defined in claim 6, said radiator plates having blackened radiator surfaces.

8. In a brooder as defined in claim 6, said shield plates having bright surfaces.

9. In a brooder, an elongated canopy having spaced end walls, heating means disposed within the central portion of said canopy, elongated radiator means extending outwardly from said heating means toward said end Walls, radiator shield means below said radiator means extending outwardly from said heating means toward said end walls, said radiator means and said shield means being arranged to distribute the heat evenly from said central heating outwardly toward said end walls, and vent openings in said end walls disposed at a level just slightly above the level of said heating means.

10. In a brooder as defined in claim 9, said radiator means comprising inverted trough-shaped plates inclined upwardly and outwardly from said central heating means.

11. in a brooder as defined in claim 10, said plates having blackened radiator surfaces.

12. In a brooder, a pair of substantially triangular end walls, parallel frame members extending longitudinally between the extremities of said end walls, a canopy top secured to said frame members and extending between said end walls, heating means disposed below the central portion of said canopy top, means for distributing the heat from said central heating means evenly toward said end walls, an access door in said canopy top movable to give ready access to said heating means from outside and to permit an operator to step through the canopy top into a brooder carrying position.

13. In a brooder as defined in claim 12, said end walls having vent openings formed therein in a position disposed just slightly above the level of said heating means.

14. In a brooder as defined in claim 12, means on the endszof said frame members for supporting the latter above the ground in difierent positions of vertical adjustment.

15. In a brooder as defined in claim 14, said supporting means'comprises a tubular leg having a flat horizontal plate secured to its lower end and clamping means adjustably securing the upper end of said leg to the associated frame member end.

16. In a brooder as defined in claim 15, said clamping means comprising vertically spaced flanges interconnected at one end by a bight section, said flanges having aligned apertures therein for receiving the upper end of said leg and an eye bolt receiving said leg between said flanges and secured to said bight portion.

17. In a brooder as defined in claim 12, said heat distributing means comprising inverted trough-shaped blacksurfaced plates extending longitudinally upwardly and outwardly from above said heating means toward said 8 end walls, a perforated plate disposed below said heating means, and shield plates below said black-surfaced plates extending outwandly from said perforated plate toward said end walls.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,528,701 Sheer Mar. 3, 1925 1,629,066 Bruns May 17, 1927 1,642,787 Myers Sept. 20, 1927 1,676,583 Straw July 10, 1928 1,831,504 McIntosh et a1. Nov. 10, 1931 2,059,819 Smith Nov. 3, 1936 FOREIGN PATENTS 372,531 Great Britain May 12, 1932 

